CAMBRIDGE, Mass, Apr. 7, 1886

Dr. C.B. McQuesten

Dear Sir

You may remember that many years ago I announced an intention of publishing an extensive work on NEW ENGLAND BUTTERFLIES. This work was nearly completed more than ten years ago, and financial considerations alone have hitherto prevented its publication. My object in now addressing you is to state that the colored plates of the perfect insects are nearly completed, and that the work will be published with the least possible delay. As the present season will in all probability be the last that can be utilized by me in obtaining material for the illustration and description of the earlier stages, I venture to call your attention to the list of desiderata on the reverse of this page, in the hope that you will kindly give me any assistance in your power. To obtain the living eggs it is recommended to place the ripe female in a gauze-covered can, keg, or expanded bag over the growing food-plant of the larva. The most convenient boxes for sending eggs, &c., by post, are those used for watch-works, which may be obtained of any dealer in watches.

Full acknowledgement will be made to all who help me lessen the list of desiderata, and I will send also an advance copy of colored plates of my work representing the smaller "skippers" and larger Argynnides of New England.

Yours Truly,
Samuel H. Scudder [Signature]
[On the second page there is a list of desiderata on the early stages of New England Butterflies in the season of 1886].